Cats are amazing pets, but they can be a finicky lot! When it comes to cats, you have to be aware of many things in order to properly raise it. Continue reading to learn excellent tips on properly providing for your cat.

Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This can keep your cat alive.

When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. Even if she spends her time indoors, it is possible for her to escape while in heat, causing an unwanted pregnancy. Spaying a cat can prevent this.

A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.

If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Knowing the rules ahead will help your child understand.

Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Under five, the child needs to be watched. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.

If your cat experiences major problems, don’t be afraid to talk to other cat owners. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. The Internet will allow you to contact many forums and online communities for cat owners. Don’t forget, your vet’s office can also provide sound advice.

If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.

As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This is essential, even for indoor cats. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. This is very critical if your feline has specific medical issues.

Cats need to have play in their life. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Spend some time enjoying your cat.

Try moving your litter box somewhere else if the cat won’t use it. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.

Outfit your cat with a tag and collar containing your address, phone number, and name. Even if you own an indoor cat, it’s possible he or she might escape. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.

Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. Some of these foods are green tomatoes, grapes, onions and garlic. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. Milk could also lead to an upset stomach if the cat drinks it.

Watch out for panting. Panting is normal behavior for a dog, but that is not always the case for cats. Panting can indicate overheating or anxiousness; however, it can indicate health issues as well. Contact your vet right away, especially if they’ve had respiratory issues a while back.

Feed dry food to your cat. Wet food is appropriate for young kittens because they have still-developing teeth which are small and delicate. Feeding your cat some dry food will help it grow strong teeth. Try combining both dry and wet food together should you have a finicky feline.

Do not overfeed your cat since this can lead to a lot of health issues in the future. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Take care to feed your cat the correct portion sizes. A balanced, nutritious diet is important.

Never let your cat venture outside if something like rabies, fleas or fungus makes you nervous. These things may happen to an indoor cat, but they will more likely happen to a cat who lives most of his life outside.

Look around your home for holes that can make a cat become stuck. Cats are able to squeeze into tiny gaps. Kittens are even more apt to get into these holes. Keep this in mind when introducing a new cat to your home. Repair or cover up any holes.

Reconsider before you let your cat have table scraps as treats. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. If you want to give your cat a treat, a spoonful of chicken or some egg is okay. However, if you feed a cat the right cat food, he is already getting proper nutrition.

Taking care of cats may seem simple at first, and if you’re lucky enough to get one that doesn’t present any issues they are, but most require a lot of attention, TLC and a few vet check-ups. Consider the tips presented here to help you become a better pet owner and feel prepared for whatever your cat has in store for you. In the end, your efforts will be worth it.